The Soul of a Cat, and Other Stories

"The Soul of a Cat, and Other Stories" by Margaret Benson is a set of stories transporting readers to the early 1900s, where creatures, especially cats, show their hidden feelings and interactions with both people and each other. The stories are about animals like Persis, a feline with sensitivities; Joey, a parrot who is smart but gets jealous, and the mysterious Ra. The tales uncover ideas about feelings, natural instincts, and how different living beings are connected. The book starts with a dedication showing the strong link between humans and their animal companions, followed by a preface questioning how we usually see animals, pushing back against simple ideas of instinct over thought. In the first story, Persis deals with being a mom, going from loving her kittens completely to feeling envious as they grow independent. This story paints a picture of her changing feelings, showing her happiness, problems, and how she changes as her relationship with her kittens changes, blending love, self-reflection, and the mysterious nature of animals.